Frequently Asked Questions
The application process
How can I apply to the Charleston School of Law?
The Charleston School of Law is accepting for the 2010-2011 academic year. For more information, click here.
What is the application deadline?
Applications for Fall 2011 admission are available online at www.LSAC.org. The $50.00 application fee is waived for those who apply prior to December 31, 2010. After that date applicants will be charged the $50 application fee. The final application deadline for full-time applicants is March 15, 2011, and for part-time applicants is April 15, 2011. Tranfer applications must be received on or before May 1, 2011.
Admissions procedures and requirements
What are the requirements for admission into the Charleston School of Law?
- Applications are available online and may be completed online, downloaded and printed, or you may request a paper application. (Visit the Admissions page.) You may also mail the completed application, with a nonrefundable application fee of $50.00 to the Charleston School of Law, PO Box 535, Charleston, SC, 29402
- Register for and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The Charleston School of Law LSAT Code is 5821.
- Register with the LSDAS. You may register for this service by contacting the LSAC at Law School Admissions Council, LSDAS, Box 2000-M, Newtown, PA 18940-0993) or by registering online at www.lsac.org.
- Submit two letters of recommendation. Applicants may use the LSAC letter of recommendation service, have letters mailed directly to the School of Law, or submit letters with their application.
- Submit a personal statement describing your reasons for wanting to attend law school, hardships or challenges you have faced and overcome, or relating other relevant information about yourself that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider along with your application.
- Submit transcripts from all institutions attended through the LSDAS service.
- Include a current resume.
- All accepted students must submit a dean's certification form from all colleges or universities attended for 12 or more credit hours.
Can I send information through the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS)?
Yes. LSAT scores, recommendation letters, and transcripts can be sent through the LSDAS service. For your reference, the Charleston School of Law's LSDAS code is 5821.
How will applications be evaluated?
The Charleston School of Law admits students selectively after a thorough evaluation of all personal and academic criteria. Many factors are considered in the decision to accept an applicant. LSAT performance and undergraduate GPA are statistically proven indicators of law school success. Other factors such as postgraduate work, employment, community service, extracurricular activities and leadership experience will also be weighed in the decision-making process.
Is the LSAT required? How long are my LSAT scores valid? Will multiple scores be averaged?
Completion of the LSAT is required for admission into the Charleston School of Law. LSAT scores will be accepted up to five years from the original date of the test. The LSAT registration packet can be obtained from the Law School Admissions Council, Box 2000, Newtown, PA, 18940, by calling (215) 968-1001, or by registering online at www.lsac.org. The Charleston School of Law will use the high score when multiple LSAT scores are presented.
Are there any specific undergraduate degree requirements?
Prior to enrolling in the School of Law, all applicants must have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. No particular pre-law curriculum is required.
Does the Charleston School of Law conduct personal interviews?
Formal interviews are not part of the normal application process. Students may contact the Office of Admission at 1-843-377-2143 with any questions or concerns.
Tuition, financial aid and scholarship information
What is the tuition for the Charleston School of Law?
For the 2010-2011 school year, per semester tuition is $17,803.00 for full-time students and $14,304.00 for students in the part-time program. All students pay a $100.00 Student Bar Association Fee.
Does the Charleston School of Law offer scholarships?
The Charleston School of Law offers both academic merit and need-based scholarships. A student's application to the School of Law serves as the application for merit scholarships. To be considered for merit scholarships, files must be complete by February 1, 2011.
Need-based scholarship applications are available in early January; the deadline for applying is May 15. You may download the application for the need-based scholarships on our website. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions about scholarships and loans.
Does the Charleston School of Law provide other forms of financial aid?
To learn more about the financial aid process, visit our Financial Aid page.
All students are advised to complete the FASFA which serves at the application for the Federal Stafford loans and the Federal Grad PLUS loans.
If you have questions or need additional student loan information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 843-377-4901.
More tuition and financial aid information
Program information
Do you offer both a full-time and a part-time course of study?
The Charleston School of Law offers both full-time and part-time courses of study leading to a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. The standard course load is 15 credit hours per semester for full-time students. Enrolling part time students are enrolled in 9 credit hours per semester for the first year and 12 credit hours in subsequent semesters. It is expected that students enrolling in the full-time division will graduate in three years and those in the part-time division in four years.
When are part-time classes held?
Classes for the part-time program are taught by the same professors as the full-time program. Classes for the part-time program are held Monday - Thursday evenings from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. to accommodate student work schedules.
What courses are required?
First year required courses are Torts, Property, Contracts, Civil Procedure, and Legal Research and Writing. Upper level required courses include: Business Associations, Commercial Law, Constitutional Law I and II, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, Secured Transactions, and Wills, Trusts and Estates. Students also have to attend Professionalism Series Lectures and complete a minimum of 30 hours of pro bono work. Finally, a student must satisfy the Upper Level Writing Requirement and successfully complete a skills course.
To learn more, take a look at the school course catalog.
Can students enroll in elective courses?
First year courses are predetermined. However, in the second and third years of law school students are free to choose from a wide variety of elective courses ranging from Historic Preservation Law, Admiralty, and Sports Law to Accounting for Lawyers and Poverty Law. Ample opportunities for outside study are also available to second and third year students including various internships and externships. For more information on course selections, please request a catalog from the Office of Admissions.
Will the classes be scheduled at convenient times for working students?
The school offers early classes and twilight classes, as well as regular day classes, to accommodate both full and part-time students. First year full time students are advised that they should not be employed. A second or third year full time student should not be employed more than 20 hours per week. Employment guidelines are suggested by the American Bar Association.
General questions about faculty and facilities
Who is the dean of the Charleston School of Law?
Professor Andrew L. Abrams serves as the school's dean. His academic interests are education law and sports law. Learn more.
Prior to joining the Charleston School of Law in August 2005, Abrams served in key leadership roles at the College of Charleston including provost, senior vice president for strategic planning and administration, and general counsel. He also was a tenured professor of legal studies.
Abrams teaches education law and sports law at the Charleston School of Law. Prior to joining academia, he was a trial lawyer in Greenville.
Who are the other faculty and administrators?
John S. Benfield is the school's Associate Dean for Administration and Alumni Development with key responsibilities relating to admission and finacial aid. He was educated at The University of South Carolina (M.A. 1982) and Wofford College (B.A. 1978). He has experience as Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, University of South Carolina School of Law, 1993-2003; Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, University of South Carolina School of Law, 1990-1993; Project Director, South Carolina State Reorganization Commission, 1987-1990; Political Science Instructor, Spartanburg Methodist College, 1982-1987.
To meet more members of the faculty and staff of the Charleston School of Law, click here.
Where is the Charleston School of Law located?
The Charleston School of Law now occupies the historic 81 Mary Street building. The building, more than 170 years old, is the previous railroad depot for the Best Friend of Charleston and was most recently the offices for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. The downtown location is convenient to parking, housing, restaurants and shops. The school also has offices and classrooms at the adjacent AT&T building at 385 Meeting Street, as well as space at 394 Meeting Street and 414 King Street.
Do you offer housing?
The Charleston School of Law does not provide student housing. However, Charleston and the surrounding areas offer many housing options, and the school will assist students in locating suitable housing. Students may also meet future roommates at the reception planned for matriculating students this summer. In addition, the Office of Admissions has a guide to area housing and keeps a roommate list to assist students in finding roommates for the school year.
Accreditation and licensing questions
When will the Charleston School of Law become ABA accredited?
The law school received provisional accreditation in December 2006. Learn more.
Is the Charleston School of Law licensed?
The Charleston School of Law is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
